ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT biography

Hailed by The Grand Rapids Press as “top-notch, instrumental wizardry,” The Moxie Strings offer listeners the unique opportunity to experience some of the world’s best- known instruments through a young, progressive lens. Diana Ladio and Alison Lynn hold Bachelor of Music degrees in music performance and music education, which have given each the technical foundation to explore the limits of her instrument and helped the group build a reputation for musical excellence. Alison performs on a newly-invented, electric cello, and Diana on a contemporary 5-string . Both use a variety of audio effects pedals. The Moxie Strings compose the majority of their pieces and arrange melodies from many countries, resulting in a genre-blurring blend of ear-catching, mainstream melodies and foot-stomping, rock-influenced rhythms. The band’s polished, high-energy show continues to redefine strings’ role in contemporary music, and offers audience members a diverse, fun, musical experience.

Soon after forming in 2007, The Moxie Strings were inspired not only to perform, but also to teach. Having made the exploratory journey from to a world of eclecticism and music creativity, the three have now dedicated their careers to helping young musicians make this life-changing and transformative transition. Moxie clinics focus on musical self-discovery and the importance of incorporating socially and culturally relevant genres of music in the music classroom. They have taught clinics in over 100 schools throughout the US, and also present on their research and methodologies to teachers at many music education professional development conferences. During most clinics, The Moxie Strings perform for students on electric instruments, teach music by ear, and introduce non-classical playing styles. The group has researched and created an innovative sequence of activities designed to introduce improvisation to classically trained musicians, which they employ at every clinic. The Moxie Strings deliver their message in a fun, accessible way, and stand before students as the illustration of the many opportunities that music holds. Current Magazine insists that “the future of music could not be in better hands.”

electronic press kit the moxie strings [email protected] past performances include

Milwaukee Irish Festival WorldFest Louisville Colorado Irish Festival Bowling Green University The Ark Ann Arbor Maryland Irish Festival The Burren Boston Ann Arbor Summer Fest Indianapolis Irish Festival Michigan Irish Music Festival Arts Beats & Eats Detroit Michigan State University Syracuse Irish Festival Founder’s Brewing Co. Texas Music Educators Conference The Intersection Grand Rapids Manitou Music Festival Michigan Music Conference Ohio Music Conference

shared stages with:

Gaelic Storm Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas Black Violin The Elders Scythian The Young Dubliners As soloists with the Battle Creek Symphony As soloists with the Mason Symphony Seamus Kennedy

electronic press kit the moxie strings [email protected] electronic press kit the moxie strings [email protected] videos

1. Promotional Video. Released April 2017. https://youtu.be/kGyO204INPY

2. “Stir-crazy” (single.) Released October 16, 2015. https://youtu.be/4rd_O2gnZ0g

3. “Eileen” (single.) Released September 2, 2016 https://youtu.be/zZllwq1Cfzc

discography Outlet (2016) Eileen (single) (2016) Stir-crazy (single) (2015) Running in Squares (2014) The Moxie Strings (2012)

a wards & honors

•Finalists in the U.S. Department of State’s American Music Abroad Program

•Nominated for 5 •Accepted as members of the 2012-2018 Michigan Humanities Council Touring Directory •Featured Clinicians at the Michigan Band & Orchestra Association’s st 1 Alternative Styles Day at Michigan State University.

•Accepted to compete in the 2012 ArtPrize Competition

•Clinicians at the 2012 and 2013 Michigan Music Conference

•Clinicians at the 2012 Ohio Music Educator’s Conference

•Clinicians at the 2012 Chicago Midwest Clinic

•Clinicians at the 2013 and 2014 Texas Music Educators’ Conference •Endorsed by D’Addario Strings, Turkish Cymbals, NS Design, and Shar Music

electronic press kit the moxie strings [email protected] press

“The Moxie Strings mix chops with heart”

“The years of lessons and the countless hours of practicing are immediately evident in the sureness of their sound. Few musicians develop serious chops like theirs without that kind of training, but classical schooling doesn’t always provide adequate preparation for performance chops, i.e.: the visually exciting stage presence we more frequently associate with rock and pop music shows, or the freedom and abandon we often enjoy in folk and ethnic music concerts. The Moxie Strings’ gift is to blend all these elements into a seamless stage show.”

“They teach their special fusion of classical, contemporary and world music to students and music teachers at schools throughout the Midwest.

The future of music could not be in better hands” -Current Magazine

“[The Moxie Strings] has impressed audiences across Michigan with top-notch instrumental wizardry.” -John Sinkevics, The Grand Rapids Press

“When it comes to The Moxie Strings, the name says it all.” -AnnArbor.com

“Ultra-energetic blast” -Local Spins electronic press kit the moxie strings [email protected] Diana Ladio Diana co-founded the instrumental fusion trio and educational ensemble, The Moxie Strings, and also tours as the player for Irish super-group, The Elders. Diana graduated with highest honors from the University of Michigan School Of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance with Teaching Certification. While at UofM, she had the honor of studying with renowned violist, Yizhak Schotten, as well as highly acclaimed string instrument pedagogue, Robert Culver.

Diana is a studied Americana fiddler, song- writer and classical violist, and makes her living performing, recording, and teaching music. She is a graduate of the Mark O’Connor Strings Conference and Christian Howe’s Creative Strings Workshop, where she now returns as an instructor. She has studied with well-known string players such as Jeremy Kittel (Turtle Island String Quartet), Casey Driessen (Fiddler for Bela Fleck’s The Flecktones), Mike Block, Wendy MacIsaac, Christian Howes, and Alex Hargreaves. You can find Diana as the face for Shar Music’s non-classical music campaign, and for D’Addario Strings’ line of orchestral strings. www.sharmusic.com/non-classical/ Alison Lynn Alison is a studied contemporary cellist, specializing in rhythmic and percussive playing styles. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University under the instruction of revered cellist and conductor, Bruce Uchimura. She is a graduate of the Mark O’Connor Strings Conference, where she had the opportunity to study with renowned cellists Rushad Eggleston, Mike Block, and Tristan Clarridge. She has also studied with celebrated contemporary cellist, Natalie Haas.

Alison has performed with hip-hop icon Kanye West, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and has performed at The Palace at Auburn Hills, The Breslin Center, VanAndel Arena, among many others, and for crowds of up to 25,000 people. Alison is endorsed by NS Design Electric instruments. sample set list

Eileen* (single released September 2016)

Jerusalem Ridge (Bluegrass, Bill Monroe) Secrets (Cover, One Republic)

Untitled* (Written in Appalachian style) Miss McCleod’s Reel/Sally Gardens/Jenny Dang the Weaver (Irish)

Go in Beauty* (feat. 5-string fiddle) East of Here* (Written in style of metal feat. Cello variety of effects pedals)

Stir-Crazy* (written in style of rock) Comin’ in Hot*/ Carter Country (Bluegrass, Jason Carter)

Drowsy Maggie (Irish)/ Sidetracked* Day of the Donut* (feat. Cello using loop pedal)

Dive In. Go Swimming* (Written in style of Old Time) Fireside* (using many audio effects pedals)

Take on Me (Cover, A-ha) Smile On*/ 3 Ft. Deep*

*Denotes original tune. technical rider

Alison Lynn: electric cello Diana Ladio: 5-string violin

Channel List:

1. Electric cello, (DI needed) 2. Cello Vocal 3. Violin, pick-up (DI provided) 4. Violin Vocal 5. Stomp-box 1 (daytime only) 6. Stomp-box 2 (daytime only) Other: • AC near cello and fiddle • Stool or chair near cello and fiddle

Stage Dimension: 10’ x 16’ minimum No specific flooring necessary 4’x 6’ Vinyl backdrop provided. Stand Not provided. stage plot

(if applicable) contact

[email protected] (734) 276-9066 or (616) 635-0272 www.themoxiestrings.com www.facebook.com/themoxiestrings www.youtube.com/themoxiestrings

For PACS and Theater Performances:

Jamie-Sue Seal, Smokin’ Sleddog Records [email protected] Office: 517.651.5487 Mobile/Text: 517.881.8149 www.SmokinSleddogRecords.com